Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) says there is rising concern among landowners over possible uranium in-situ leaching activities impacting the aquifers of the Stampriet Artesian Basin (SAB).
The union has organised a meeting for tomorrow where expert Roy Miller, a renowned geologist with many years of experience, would provide further information on the aquifer, the uranium extraction process, and its resulting challenges.
According to a statement released by the NAU, the union was approached by various entities to support Namibian landowners, including commercial crop, livestock and game farmers, communal farmers, tourism entities, and towns to investigate this possible contamination.
The basin spans south-eastern Namibia and extends into Botswana and South Africa. “Underground water is the lifeblood of this arid and waterless region. The uranium occurs underground in the high-quality drinking water of the aquifers in the SAB,” the union says.
Radioactive substances in drinking water would have disastrous effects on lives and livelihoods. Namibians and people abroad need to be made aware of the possible consequences prior to the issuance of an environmental clearance certificate by the authorities to continue with an underground pilot project.
The leakage of acid and dissolved uranium into aquifers beyond mining areas would render the water unusable for many decades in extended parts of the involved aquifers.
“Can Namibia afford to allow acid leaching and potential extensive contamination by uranium and associated heavy metals of a critical underground water resource in a water-restricted area in exchange for short-term financial gain?” the union is asking. The meeting, addressed by Miller, will take place at the Agricultural Union’s boardroom in Windhoek tomorrow.
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